Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 612, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to permanently establish the Hawaii State Public Library System's ability to collect fees for enhanced services.

Your Committee finds that in 1993, when the Legislature adopted Act 327 to establish a fee for enhanced services in the Library System, the Legislature supported the Library System's efforts to generate alternative sources of revenue to make up for severe budget shortfalls. Different enhanced services are selected by different public libraries to suit their clientele, neighborhood, and need. This allows variety and specificity in providing services to library users. The enhanced services special fund was to be repealed on July 1, 2002. However, it has proven to be a valuable addition to the public Library System's responsibilities and therefore should be made a permanent fund and program. This measure is designed to accomplish this.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 612, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.